Automatic journal-lubricator.



J. J. HENNESSY,

AUTOMATIC JOURNAL LUBRICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25.1911.

Patented May 7,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1.1 HENNESSY. AUTOMATIC JOURNAL LUBRICATOR. APPLICATION FILED JULY 25.1911.

1,265,199. Pdoented May 7,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHE]? 2.

@flgg 'P' 7\ 43 imam! flea/lags 1.1. HENNESSY.

AUTOMATIC JOURNAL LUBRICATOR.

APPLICATION FiLED JULY 25', 1917.

Patented May 7,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

*h R vm [nae/112k Jarrzea J wanes;

JAMES J'. HENNESSY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

. AUTOMATIC JOURNAL-LUBRICA TOR.

Application filed July 25, 1917. 7 Serial N 0. 182,750.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES J. HENNESSY, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic Journal-Lubricators, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.v

My invention relates generally to lubrieating devices and more particularly to an automatically operating lubricator which is positioned in a railway car journal box for lubricating the journal on the end of the axle, my present invention being an improvement upon similar devices illustrated in my copending patent applications, Serial Numbers 135,161 and 179,221, filed respectively, December 5. 1916 and July 7, 1917.

The principal objects of my invention are, to provide a comparatively simple structure which will be effective in positively feeding or delivering lubricating oil directly to that portion of the journal which contacts with the usual brass bearing associated with the journal box; to provide a journal lubricating device with a pump or with a mechanism which performs the functions of a pump, said pumping mechanism operating automatically by reason of the fact that the piston element is actuated by inertia re sulting from thelongitudinal reciprocating movement of the journal within the box; to provide a lubricatingdevice which can be easily and quickly applied to or removed from the journal; and, further, to provide a lubricating device which will minimize the waste of liquid lubricant used in the journal boxes.

With the foregoing and other objects in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section-taken lengthwise through the center of a journal box and. showing a lubricating device of my improved construction positioned for use within said box;

Specification of Letters Patent.

' of the journal 12.

Patented May 7, 1918.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view ofthe oil and waste container forming a part of my improved construction, parts thereof being broken away;

F ig. 4 is a vertical section similar to Fig. l and showing a modifiedform oflubricating device;

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the liquid lubricant container forming a part of the improved construction seen in Figs. 4 and 5, with parts of said container in section;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of a part of the operating mechanism for the modified form of the lubricator illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6;

wise through the center of a further modified form of journal lubricator;

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken approximately on the line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken lengthwise through the center of a further modified form of the journal lubricator;

Fig. 11 is a cross section taken approximately on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, particularly to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, which discloses a practical embodiment of my invention, 10 designates a journal box of usual form,-11 the usual axle, 12 the journal on the end thereof, 13 the usual journal bearing of brass or bronze, and 14 the wedge utilized for holding the journal bearingin place.

The body of the lubricating device contemplated by my invention is preferably in the form of a container constructed of metal, either cast-or pressed. and of such size and shape as to readily fit in the lower portion of the chamber within the journal box. This body or container designated by the numeral 15 is substantially U-shape in cross section so as to inclose the lower half of the journal 12 and formed on the inner face of said container near its ends are transversely disposed ribs 16 which are designed to fit snuglyagainst the end portions (See Fig. 1.)

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken lengthr vpartition 22 supply of liquid lubricant utilized in the Formed integral with the inner end of the container 15 is an extension 17, the same being substantially U-shape in cross section, which extension projects into the dust guard pocket of the journal box and fits snugly against the lower half of that portion of the aXle which is immediately adjacent to the inner end of the journal 12. Formed in the face of this extension 17 are transversely disposed grooves or pockets 18 and 19, said pocket 18 being filled with waste or anal0- gous fibrous material.

Pocket 19 is positioned immediately beneath the shoulder a which is formed between the axle 11 and journal. 12, said pocket serving as a chamber and adapted to receive any liquid lubricant which may tend to flow or pass inwardly from the journal 12 onto the body of the axle.

Formed through the lower portions of the inner one of the ribs 16 are apertures 20, the same serving to establish communication from the pocket 19 to the chamber in the lower portion of container 15, said apertures inclining downwardly away from the pocket 19 so that any liquid lubricant which may accumulate in said pocket will by gravity pass through said apertures into the lower portion of the container 15.

Formed integral with or fixed to the outer portion of container 15 is an outer end wall 21 and positioned inside of said endwall and spaced apart therefrom is a partition 22, the lower end thereof being horizontally disposed and connected to the outer one of the ribs 16 at a point above the bottom of container 15.

The chamber 23 between the wall 21 and servesias a reservoir for the device.

The space between the outer one of ribs 16 and partition 22 serves as a pocket 24: which is positioned immediately beneath the flange 6 on the outer end of journal 12 and is adapted to receive any liquid lubricant which may escape past the outer one of the ribs 16.

Any liquid lubricant which accumulates in this pocket will pass back into the space in the bottom of container 15 through apertures 25, the same being formed through the outer one of ribs 16 and being inclined downwardly and inwardly from said pocket.

Positioned within the container 15 is a plate 26, the same serving as a container for waste or analogous fibrous material, the ends of this plate being fitted snugly against the inner faces of the ribs 16, said plate being substantially U-shape in cross section andits upper side edges terminating adjacent to the upper side edges of container 15. (See Fig. 2.)

The lower central portion of this plate is spaced apart from the lower central portion of container 15, thereby forming a chamber of substantial capacity which chamber is occupied by the pump forming a part of my improved lubricator and the liquid lubricant which is circulated by said pump.

Projecting inwardly from the upper portions of the sides of this plate 26 are prongs 27 which serve to retain the waste in position on said plate and prevent said waste from rolling up on one side as a result of the continued motion in one direction of the journal 12. The central portion of the bottom of plate 26 is elevated as designated by 28 in order-to form ample space for the pump mechanism forming a part of the lubricator. Positioned immediately above this elevated portion 28 of plate 26 and spaced apart therefrom is a longitudinally disposed plate 29, the ends of which fit snugly against the inner faces of ribs 16 and the side edges of which plate are fitted snugly to the inner lace of plate 26'to the sides of the elevated central portion 28. This construction provides a shallow chamber 30 between plates 26 and 29, which chamber is adapted to receive liquid lubricant from the reservoir 23, said lubricant passing through an aperture 31, the same being formed through the outer one of ribs 16 at a point between the apertures 25. This chamber 30 is adapted to receive such liquid lubricant as maybe forced out of the lower portion of container 15 by the pumping mechanism associated with the lubricator.

Formed through the plate 29 is a series of apertures 32 which permits liquid lubricant to pass from the chamber 30 upwardly, and thus thoroughly saturate the waste or analogous material which is postioned in the space between the journal 12 and the plates 26 and 29.

The pump associated with my improved lubricator is located in the central portion of the chamber between the bottom of container 15 and plate 26, said pump operating within a suitable housing, the same comprising a centrally arranged tubular member 33 and a pair of tubular end members 34, the latter being smaller in diameter than the central member 33. The outer end portions of the tubular end members 3% are extended vertically upward and pass through the ends of plate 26, thereby communicating with both ends of the chamber 30.

Located in the upturned end portions of the tubular members 84 are ball check valves 35 which are arranged to permitthe liquid lubricant to pass upwardly through said upturned ends.

Arranged to slide freely through the tubular member'33 is a plunger 36 and connected in any suitable manner to the ends thereof are pistons 37 which are arranged to slide in the horizontal portions of the tubular members 3 1. i

' freely Plunger 36 .is supported by roller bearings 38, the latter being arranged'to roll upon the bottom of tubular member 33. The horizontal portions 1 of tubular members 34 are perforated so that liquid lubricant is free'to pass from the chamber between container and plate 26 into the chambers within said members 34.

' U be container 15 and parts carried thereby are yieldingly held against the underside of the journal 12 by a stirrup 39, the latter being supported by a compression spring 40 whichbears on the bottom ofthe journal box 10.

' W hen'the form of lubricating device just described is installed in a journal box and a supply of liquid lubricant is placed in reservoir 23, a portion ofsaid liquid lubricant'will pass through aperture 31, thus partially filling chamber'8O and said lubricant will .pass from: chamber 30 upward through the apertures 32, with the result of waste or likematerial-positioned in the space between the journal and plate 26 will be thoroughly saturated withthe liquid lubr-icant, and as the jour upon the body of waste, the surjournal will be thoroughly nalrotates face of said lubricated.

Any liquid lubricant which may pass outwardly between the journal and the ribs 16 will'eventually pass into the pockets 19 and Qatand from said pockets willpass through the apertures 20 and 25 into the chamber between the bottom of container 15 and the plate 26; I

When a car is in operation there-is an appreciable longitudinal movement of the axle relative to the journal box, this movement averaging: about three-quarters of an inch. This relative longitudinal movement is irregular for a number of reasons, for instance, rough track, different speeds at which the train isrunning, curved portions of the track, and the constant shifting of the weight of the car body upon the car trucks.

It will be noted that the upper portions of the ribs 16 fit fairly close against the shoulder a between the journal and the body of the aXle and the shoulder between the journal and flange b, and for this reason the container 15 and parts carried thereby will travel lengthwise with the journal in its variable longitudinal movement. As such movement takes place, plunger 36 will as a result of the shifting movement of the container move lengthwise for a certain distance, such movement being comparatively free by reason of the fact that the plunger is mounted on roller bearings 38, and as this movement takes place, the pistons 37 will be alternately reciprocated in the horizontal portions of the tubular members 3-1 with the result that liquid lubricant will be forced out of said imembersi34 and upwardly past comprising the plunger 36 and pistons 37 1s reciprocated by inertia, resulting-from the longitudinal movement of tive to the journal box andsaid pump is. effective 'in lates in the 34. back to the. chamber 30 fromwhich the waste receives its oil supplyiiw a I a i In the modified construction illustrated in'Figsl't, 5 and 6, a container 15 is made use of, the same being a duplicateofflthe container 15 previously described, and provided' on its inside "with plates which are duplicates of theplates-26 and 29.= i

The includes a pair of'pistons 41 whichare rig idly connected by a :pistonrod 42, saidpisa tons operatin giin cylinders 43, the faces of which are perforatedhs designated by 44,

j The center ofthe piston rod 42 inthis construction is slotted and loosely; arranged therein is the lower end of a-curved'rocker arm 47, thefupper end of whichicarriesa 'pin48, the'same'being'journaledfin one of the v, studs ortrunnions which engages the end of the yoke or stirrup39 which sup-. ports. the'conta'iner 15 The outer end of this. pin-48 is bifurcated and engaging therein is the end ofa' a which latter is fixed to the yoke 39% 7,;

In the operation of this form of lubricate ing device, the pistons 41 arereciprocated "in the cylinders 43 by the rocking or swinging movement of arm &7, such movement being effected by the longitudinal reciproeating movement of the container 15 relative to the container and to the yoke or saddle 39, it being understood that as the container moves lengthwise, the yoke or saddle 39' will be slightly rocked and the finger 19 carried by said yoke will in turn impart a slight rocking or rotary movement to pin 48 carrying arm 47.

Thus, as the pistons are reciprocated, the oil within the cylinders 43 will be forced upwardly past the ball' check valves 46 into the chamber from which the waste receives its oil supply.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the pump includes a pair of pistons 50 connected by a piston rod 51, said pistons operating in cylinders 52, the outer ends of which are provided with ball forcing whatever oil accumu-o chambers :WlthlIl the members pump in this "modified construction projecting, through the pin on finger "49 the journal relacheck valves and are extended upward through the end portions of plate 26. Pivotally secured to the underside of the central portion of this plate 26 is a gravity hanger 53 which is pivotally connected to the central portion of rod 51, and said hanger being provided (with weights 5%. This weighted hanger acts as a pendulum and swings backward and forward as a resultof the longitudinal movement of the container positioned beneath the end of the journal, with the result that the pistons 50 are'reciprocated in their cylinders, and such oil as accumulates within the cylinders 52 will be forced upward past the ball check valves into the chamber from which the waste receives its oil supply.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, the pump comprisesa single piston55 operating in a cylinder 56 and connected byv link 57 to a gravity weight 58', the latter being suspended by means of links 59 from the underside of plate 26 In this construction, the weight 58 swinging backward and forward as a result of the longitudinal movement of the container, imparts reciprocatory movement to piston 55 and the oil is forced upward to the supply chamber for the waste.

A lubricating device of my improved construction is comparatively simple, can be readily combined with all the prevailing and standard types of journal boxes, can be easily and quickly applied to or removed from the journal box and provides effective means for positively forcing liquid lubricant into the chamber from which the waste receives its supply.

It will be readily understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of thevarious parts of my. improved lubrieating device can be made and substituted copies 0! this patent may be obtained for for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of my inven tion, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a journal lubricator, a container adapted to be positioned in a journal box beneath the journal, said container being provided with a liquid lubricant compartment and with a waste compartment, and a pump actuated by the longitudinal movement of the journal during operation for forcing liquid lubricant into and through the liquid lubricant compartment.

2. In a journal lubricating device, a container adapted to be positioned in a journal box beneath the journal, said container being provided with a liquid lubricant compartment and with a waste compartment, there being communication between said compartments, said container being also provided with a compartment adapted to re ceive the overflow of liquid lubricant delivered to the journal, and inertia actuated means located within the last mentioned 1 compartment for forcing the liquid lubrlcant therefrom into the liquid lubricant compartment within said container.

8. In a journal lubricator, a container provided with a liquid lubricant compartment, a Waste compartment and an overflow compartment, there being communication between said compartments, and means operated by inertia resulting from the longitudinal movement of the journal in the journal box while in operation for forcing liquid lubricant from the overflow compartment to the liquid lubricant compartment.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this 21st day of July, 1917.

JAMES J. HENNESSY. 

